Council rolls out considerate parking scheme

The borough council is launching a ‘considerate parking’ scheme to try and stop rows between neighbours and motorists.

It comes just a week after the Gazette reported the case of disabled Hinderwell woman, Simone Hutchinson, who said she felt trapped in her own home as she couldn’t get parked near her house.

Simone Hutchinson of Hinderwell who along with other residents of Coronation avenue keep recieving parking tickets

The council says the new scheme will combat the problems of anti-social parking and the negative effect it can have on local communities.

Police Community Support Officers and the council’s own Civil Enforcement Officers will be placing advice notices on cars parked inconsiderately, such as blocking driveways, parking on grass verges or pavements, or parking too close to road junctions.

Whilst this isn’t considered illegal or in contravention of existing Traffic Regulation Orders, it can inconvenience other drivers and pedestrians, lead to unnecessary additional on street parking which sometimes is dangerous and can lead to disagreements between neighbours.

It is hoped the scheme will make the driver understand the consequences of their actions and encourage them to alter their parking habits before fines are imposed.

The practice has proved successful in Brightlingsea, a coastal town in Essex and if successful in the borough it could be rolled out to other parts of North Yorkshire.

Cllr Andrew Backhouse, cabinet member with responsibility for parking said: “We recognise the need in our borough to retain valuable parking space where possible and go as far as we can in tackling public concerns about anti-social parking.

“By highlighting the issues and asking motorists to be more considerate, we hope the need for further regulation and enforcement can be avoided.”

The scheme is being supported by North Yorkshire Police and Inspector Mike Fenton, North Yorkshire Police added: “We all know our roads are getting more and more congested and finding a parking space, particularly in some of the area’s narrowest streets, can be tricky, but it’s no excuse to park inconsiderately or dangerously.

“Drivers must remember that parents with buggies and wheelchair users need to be able to use the pavement. There’s also the danger that bad parking can create a blind spot or obstruct sightlines, especially when parked near a junction.”

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